I Am Truly Not a Treacherous Minister Your Majesty

Chapter 42: Diplomatic Contact

Xia Yuxiao’s expression was very calm.

The other party only gave Qin Ji a gift, which was a serious diplomatic etiquette issue, but Xia Yuxiao was not a fool.

These Saal people were indeed ill-intentioned, losing the battle and still using such means to disgust people. Fortunately, Qin Ji was quite reliable, using a single sentence to muddle through the awkward situation.

Xia Yuxiao nodded at Qin Ji’s suggestion. Of course, she couldn’t accept the knife and had to return it to Qin Ji—she didn’t lack a knife.

“Saal envoy, what important matter brings you to Daxia this time?” Xia Yuxiao asked.

“Your Majesty, King Tuva of the Saal dynasty wishes to apologize to the Emperor of Daxia through this envoy. This incident was a misunderstanding, and our country had no intention of invading your country.”

“Misunderstanding? Hmm, I am willing to believe it was a misunderstanding,” Xia Yuxiao said with a smile, “However, this has nothing to do with my reclaiming of Hanyin City. Daxia does not wish to occupy your territory, but we also do not want you to invade our borders at will. Your King Tuva once swore allegiance to Daxia in front of the late emperor. But now, due to a misunderstanding, we have to reconsider our relationship.”

You, a vassal state, were once beaten by the late emperor’s army, and now seeing a female emperor ascend the throne, you immediately jump out. Even if forgiven, you should pay a price.

“This incident was indeed caused by our misjudgment. After the conflict occurred, our country immediately launched an investigation. The cause of the incident was actually due to unclear grazing boundaries between the two sides, leading to the conflict.”

The princess in front of him indeed deserved the position given to her by her father, lying without even blushing.

A grazing boundary conflict? The boundary at Hanyin City is a city wall, could the cattle and sheep of both sides graze across the wall?

“If it was indeed a misjudgment, then let’s act according to the misjudgment.” Beside him, the old chancellor suddenly snorted coldly, “The Saal dynasty has been prosperous in recent years, surely they have saved a lot of money? I think a little necessary compensation is still affordable.”

The old chancellor never tolerated the Saal dynasty because he had tried to reason with them when he was young, only to find that they didn’t engage in reasoning at all. Or rather, when you reasoned with them, they just ignored you.

Even now, with a bit of etiquette, the people they sent were often full of loopholes in etiquette, and their speech was not polite at all. With this, how could he have a good attitude?

“Thanks to Daxia’s prosperity, our country has indeed flourished in recent years, and many merchants are willing to come to us for business,” Uheya said calmly, facing the old chancellor’s impoliteness. “However, if Your Majesty wishes to replace our compensation with cattle and sheep, our country has enough to compensate Your Majesty. But as for other things, our country really doesn’t have much to offer.”

“I naturally understand the principle of repaying debts and compensating for lives lost, but our country really doesn’t have enough money. If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, our country is willing to offer cattle and sheep for several years to Your Majesty…”

“Do I lack cattle and sheep?”

Xia Yuxiao looked at the other party calmly, asking in a terrifyingly calm tone.

Uheya was silent for a moment.

She certainly knew how absurd her words were. The Saal army invaded Hanyin City, committing arson and looting, and her father asked her to propose such a solution.

The Saal dynasty has no money? How foolish would one have to be to believe that? And to use cattle and sheep to compensate the families who lost their homes and lives due to this attack… it was too ironic.

“Daxia does not intend to target your Saal country. The late emperor allowed Tuva to unify the northern grasslands for the sake of border stability and the well-being of the people of both countries. But you have repeatedly violated the border. Even if I forgive you, my ministers forgive you, those people who were killed by you may not forgive you.”

At this point, Xia Yuxiao gently tapped the armrest of her seat.

She was very sure that the other party would not dare to really go to war with the Xia Kingdom. Although the fame of the Sal Cavalry spread far and wide, it was only more powerful compared to most small countries around. If a real fight broke out, what Xia Kingdom worried about was the cost of the war, not whether they could win.

Uheya’s captivating eyes lingered on Qin Ji for a moment.

This action was naturally captured by Xia Yuxiao.

She looked at Uheya’s bold gaze on Qin Ji. It seemed that this Uheya had quite a good impression of Qin Ji. What did this guy do in the Sal Kingdom back then?

Qin Ji naturally noticed it too. To be honest, being swept by such a graceful woman with eyes full of teasing meaning, Qin Ji really couldn’t handle it.

But he had to handle it. This was an official diplomatic occasion, and the historian was standing right next to him.

If the historian wrote: “On a certain year, month, and day, the Duke of An met the Princess of Sal in the grand hall. Princess Uheya seduced him with her eyes, and the Duke of An was lost in her beauty…”

Then he would lose face greatly.

Thinking of this, Qin Ji decisively chose to stand up and show his selflessness:

“Your Majesty is absolutely right. Our Great Xia is now rich in resources, why would we care about those cattle and sheep? The Sal people repeatedly violated the border, ignoring multiple warnings, and should be severely punished…”

Suddenly, Uheya’s gaze became resentful.

I say, girl, you don’t really think that just because we had some friendship when we were kids, I can speak for you and your country now, do you?

Qin Ji let out a long breath. This girl was really a bit reckless, or maybe… she was just trying to provoke a rift between him and Xia Yuxiao?

Tsk, who knows, and I dare not ask.

“Since both Your Majesty and the Duke of An think so, please allow us to consider. Currently, our Sal Kingdom still hopes for continued good relations between the two countries. I will also report this to my father and let him make a decision.”

“That would be good, after all, it is a major matter concerning both countries. How about this, I will first tell you the conditions of our Great Xia, and Princess, you can directly inform King Tuwa and let him make a decision.”

After Qin Ji finished speaking, he stood up.

He gave the old chancellor a look, and the old chancellor smiled knowingly, then stroked his white beard and took out a letter that had been written long ago.

Qin Ji took the letter and handed it to her.

Uheya opened the letter and read it.

Her expression became somewhat unpleasant.

“Please…” She took a deep breath and calmed herself down, “Please allow me to consider.”

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